Since the United States and Great
Britain still maintain close ties and many Americans have British forebears, a
large number of genealogists seek ancestral ties to English sovereigns. A
ground-breaking publication that will be useful in this search is Douglas
Richardson's PLANTAGENET ANCESTRY: A STUDY IN COLONIAL AND MEDIEVAL FAMILIES.

This monumental volume concerns
American descendants of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou and Duke of
Normandy. He was the founder of the Plantagenet dynasty that ruled England from
1154 to 1485. Persons familiar with English history will recognize the names of
a few of Geoffrey's famous (or infamous) descendants: Henry II, who married
Eleanor of Aquitaine; King John, signer of the Magna Charta; Edward III, who
founded the Order of the Garter; John of Gaunt; and Edward, the Black Prince.

An expansion and revision of an
earlier work, PLANTAGENET ANCESTRY OF SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY COLONISTS by
David Faris, Richardson's material traces both legitimate and illegitimate
offspring of sixteen of Geoffrey's great-grandchildren who left issue. As far as
possible, the author furnishes detailed biographical information about the lines
of descent of approximately 190 seventeenth-century North American colonists. In
his discussion of discoveries and major changes, he explains that finding new
records has sometimes led to confirmation or extension of work done by earlier
researchers. A breakthrough on data about Margaret MOWBRAY, for example, shows
her to be the ancestor of Mayflower passenger Richard MORE.

A scrutiny of records also led to
major changes in some parentage as well as other corrections and additions to
lines of descent. He includes data on several immigrants, such as Essex BEVILLE
and Thomas BOOTH, who still lack full documentation regarding their Plantagenet
descent. As Richardson points out in his introduction, supplying a secure basis
for all family connections is an on-going process.

Helpful and interesting, the book is
especially valuable due to Richardson's vast amount of citations--approximately
14,000. A glance at the extensive 77-page bibliography of primary and secondary
sources indicates this volume is the most substantial source book available on
American descendants of the Plantagenets.

The 945-page hardback also contains
an introduction; an alphabetical list of 205 immigrants; a glossary of special
terms and abbreviations; photographs of memorial plaques, effigies, and
monuments; genealogical charts of the Plantagenet kings; footnotes; and a full
name index. As item number 4894, it may be purchased for $89.00 postpaid or $91
UPS by check, MasterCard, or Visa from Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 3600
Clipper Mill Rd., Suite 260, Baltimore, Maryland 21211 (for phone orders, call
toll free 1-800-296-6687; fax 1-410-752-8492; website
www.genealogical.com).

Taking "Tracking Our Footprints" as
its theme for the year, the Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) seeks to
help all individuals who are tracing the paths of their Czech ancestors in the
United States (especially Texas) and the Czech lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and
Silesia in Europe. On April 22, 2006, the society will host a "research
opportunity" in the east wing of the Nueces County Memorial Agricultural Center,
900 East Avenue J, Robstown, TX. Hundreds of books concentrating on Czech
genealogy will be available for research from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. Guest speakers
Edwin Wallek, Jr. and Patrick Janis will discuss home remedies and how to
organize your research materials. The cost, which includes lunch, for the day
will be $8.00 per person if registered before April 14. After that date, the fee
will be $10.00 per person. Registration fees may be sent to Sallie Wendt, 361 N.
Post Oak Lane #145, Houston, TX 77024 (phone 713-682-6262). More information can
be found on the TCGS website at www.txczgs.org.